How is fluroine used?

Answer 1

Fluorine is used as a radioactive tracer in PET Scans mostly as Fluorodeoxyglucose (more precisely 2-Deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose or FDG for short), which is a glucose analogue and is taken up by body cells that are high users of glucose such as brain and cancer cells. The presence of Fluorine in the molecule inhibits the body metabolising it as a normal glucose molecule. Once the Fluorine has decayed to Oxygen 18 the normal metabolic process proceeds. A typical dose is 5 - 10 millicuries or 200 to 400 MBq administered by saline drip. The patient is scanned an hour later during which the patient should avoid activity so that the FDG does not go to active muscles

Answer 2

Fluorine is commonly used in the production of fluorinated compounds like Teflon, which is used to make non-stick cookware. It is also used in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals, such as fluoroquinolone antibiotics, and in industries like water treatment and metal production. Additionally, fluorine is used in the production of refrigerants and in the making of toothpaste to prevent tooth decay.